Landelin, later Saint Landelin, a former brigand of noble family, who after his conversion to Christianity was active as a missionary in the north of France, founded two, or most probably three, abbeys in the region: Lobbes Abbey in about 650, probably Aulne Abbey in 656 and the priory at Wallers-Trélon in 657. The traditional story is that he then withdrew with two disciples into the forest of the County of Hainault between Valenciennes and Mons, where he built a wooden cell on the bank of the Haine, which flows into the Scheldt at Condé-sur-l'Escaut. The owner of the forest took their clothes in compensation for the branches they had sawn off without his permission, and was struck lame: only when he returned the clothes did Landelin heal him. It is also said that after praying Landelin struck the ground with his staff, whereupon a strong spring appeared, the curling waves of which caused him to name the spot "Crispinium". The reputation of the three hermits and the stories of these miracles attracted increasing numbers of disciples, for whom Landelin had a chapel built, which became the centre of the Benedictine abbey, dedicated to Saint Peter. Landelin was its first abbot. He died there, probably in 686, and was buried in the abbey church.
History
The monastery flourished at first, because of its reputation for miracles at the intercession of Landelin, but in the 9th century found itself in increasing danger of being plundered or destroyed by the marauding Vikings. Landelin's relics were therefore moved, apparently in 836, to Boke in Delbrück near Paderborn. In 870 the abbey was indeed destroyed by the Vikings. Although it was quickly rebuilt, it was not immediately re-dedicated as a monastery, but housed a community of secular priests, and was not re-occupied by the Benedictines until 1080. From 1080 to 1802, when the abbey was dissolved in the Napoleonic period, there were altogether 48 abbots of Crespin. After its dissolution the abbey was sold off and destroyed.
Present day
Of the abbey church, first built in 673, only a few ruins remain. Of the other structures on the site only the abbot's house still stands, with a few ancillary buildings.
